Team Europe Ryder Cup announcement as it happened: Thomas Bjorn picks Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey

Thomas Bjorn picks Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey

Europe's Ryder Cup Team wildcard advert

Team Europe will look to reclaim the Ryder Cup after a humbling defeat two years ago at Hazeltine, with captain Thomas Bjorn putting the final plans into place after announcing his four wild card picks.

Francesco Molinari, Justin Rose, Tyrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Alex Noren and Thorbjorn Olesen have already secured their place on Bjorn's team for the competition, which begins on 28 September at Le Golf National in south-west Paris.

And completing that line-up will be Ryder Cup stalwart Ian Poulter, former Open champion Henrik Stenson, 2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia and in-form Paul Casey, with Bjorn announcing his wild cards earlier on Wednesday afternoon. However, as always that leaves the unlucky few ruing an opportunity missed, with the likes of Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Matt Wallace, Thomas Pieters and Matt Fitzpatrick all missing out.

US captain Jim Furyk handed Tiger Woods a wild card entry last night after he finished sixth in the Open and second in the PGA Championship to remove any lingering doubt about his place on the team, with Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau his two other picks - with one more to be confirmed next week. Follow the live announcement and the latest reaction below...

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Key Points

• European captain Thomas Bjorn names his four wild card picks
• Ian Poulter returns after missing 2016 Ryder Cup with injury
• Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey receive expected call-ups
• Sergio Garcia selected despite lack of form since Masters win last year
• Tiger Woods received ‘beyond special’ wild card pick

[5 September 2018 14:26 · Jack Watson]

Ian Poulter: Ryder Cup trophy kept my heart beating

"It feels extra special to be part of this team, for Thomas to give me the call yesterday was special. When you look at the European team on paper I'm getting goosebumps talking about it," Ian Pouler told Sky Sports

"Medinah is a long time ago. When i think back to that crazy finish it was a very special moment for me, I'll take that and keep it with me for a long time. For me to know I'm going to be part of another team just keeps me going. It's been a tough two years and that little gold trophy kept my heart beating."

[5 September 2018 14:29 · Jack Watson]

Europe's team the best ever, says Stenson

"It means a lot, I've got some of my greatest memories being part of a European Ryder Cup team. I'll focus on Paris, it's going to be a great venue, Europe has as strong a team as we have ever had."

[5 September 2018 14:35 · Jack Watson]

"This was easy": some early Twitter reaction to the wild card selections 

[5 September 2018 14:39 · Jack Watson]

Matt Wallace and Matthew Fitzpatrick hoping to bounce-back at Omega European Masters after missing out

Englishmen Matt Wallace and Matthew Fitzpatrick will look to put the disappointment of missing out on Ryder Cup selection behind them at the Omega European Masters.

Wallace won his third European Tour title of the year with a brilliant final-round display in Denmark under the watchful eye of Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn but it was not enough to sneak into a wild card pick.

"Different challenges this week but it is my second time here now, so I know a bit more of what to expect," the 28-year-old told a press conference. "If I can prepare as well as I do normally and get in the hunt, my mind and my heart can take over."

Fitzpatrick returns as defending champion after just missing out on automatic qualification for the Ryder Cup last week and failing to earn a wild card.

"I feel like I have been playing solidly all year really, I've just not had any momentum or anything go my way, and not making the important putts unfortunately," said the Yorkshireman.

"Hopefully I can do that this week and kick on for the rest of the year and pick up a win."

Via PA

[5 September 2018 14:42 · Jack Watson]

Bjorn selected a veteran quartet to accompany a young-looking rookie core

Thomas Bjorn has gambled on experience for his Ryder Cup wildcard picks, surprisingly picking Sergio Garcia despite the Spaniard missing the cut at his last five majors and saying that heading to the tournament without him would be like “a football team without their captain.”

[5 September 2018 14:55 · Jack Watson]

A detailed look at the profiles of the four wild card picks

Ian Poulter

Age 42

Ryder Cup appearances 5 (2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)

Record Won 12 Lost 4 Halved 2

Majors 0

Nicknamed 'The Postman' because he always delivers a point, Poulter was forced to settle for a vice-captaincy role in 2016 due to injury and looked to have lost his PGA Tour card in 2017 before a mistake in the way his points had been calculated was spotted by a fellow player. Finished second in the Players Championship in his next event and won the Houston Open in 2018, his first victory since 2012, to get into the Masters.

 

Paul Casey

Age 41

Ryder Cup appearances 3 (2004, 2006, 2008)

Record Won 3 Lost 2 Halved 4

Majors 0

Famously overlooked for a wild card by Colin Montgomerie in 2010 despite being ranked seventh in the world at the time, Casey later gave up his European Tour membership and only rejoined at the end of 2017 with the Ryder Cup in mind. Won his first PGA Tour title since 2009 in the Valspar Championship in March, finishing a shot ahead of a rejuvenated Tiger Woods. Strong match play record includes victory in the HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth in 2006 and twice being runner-up in the WGC Match Play.

 

Henrik Stenson (Sweden)

Age 42

Ryder Cup appearances 4 (2006, 2008, 2014, 2016)

Record Won 7 Lost 7 Halved 2

Majors 1 (2016 Open)

Played a vital part in the victory at Gleneagles in 2014, combining with Justin Rose to win all three of their matches together, although the same pair could only win one of their three matches at Hazeltine. Claimed his first major title with a record-breaking performance in the Open at Royal Troon in 2016 and claimed silver behind Rose in golf's return to the Olympics in Rio. Ongoing elbow injury could be a concern.

 

Sergio Garcia (Spain)

Age 38

Ryder Cup appearances 8 (1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016)

Record Won 19 Lost 11 Halved 7

Majors 1 (2017 Masters)

A talismanic figure for Europe, so much so that he was brought in as a vice-captain by Montgomerie in 2010 despite becoming disenchanted with golf and taking a two-month break from playing. However, after averaging 3.75 points in his first four Ryder Cup appearances, the Spaniard has averaged just 1.88 in his last four and has missed the cut in his last five major starts. His sole top 10 since March did at least come on the Ryder Cup course.

Via PA

[5 September 2018 15:08 · Jack Watson]

Ooooh nice video, this. 

[5 September 2018 15:21 · Jack Watson]

Au Revoir

Full Europe team: Justin Rose, Francesco Molinari, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Alex Noren, Thorbjorn Olesen, Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson. 

Full US team: Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Webb Simpson, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau. (12th pick TBC)

That is all from our live coverage of Europe's wild card picks. Just over three weeks until it all begins in Paris on 28 September. Can't wait!